Grand Prairie, Texas (Friday, May 6, 2016) - It was Great Minds, piloted by C. J. McMahon, in front by a half at the wire in tonight's 20th edition of the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile, giving both horse and rider their first graded stakes win. This was the third straight victory for the five-year-old gelded son of Stroll, with McMahon up.

"I knew he had speed," said McMahon. "I thought if I got a good break and could sit right off the pace, he would finish really good. So I just sat in the pocket, and when I turned him loose, he really exploded."

Trained by Al Stall, Jr., Great Minds is owned by NFL star Vince Wilfork, who plays a nose tackle for the Houston Texans.

With Blue Tone and Shotgun Cowboy contesting the pace in front, Great Minds settled in tracking position through fractions of :25.01, :48.57, and 1:12.55. Blue Tone gave way in the far turn, leaving it to Shotgun Kowboy. Great Minds made a bid near the one-eighth pole, dueled with the runner-up and, was able to prevail by a half-length. It was five lengths back to Carve in third. Final time was 1:37.68.

With the win, Great Minds improved his career record to five wins from 19 starts and increased his career earnings to $283,898.

Mutuels on the winner paid $15.60, $6.20 and $4.20. Shotgun Kowboy returned $4.60 and $3.40. Carve returned $3.40. Aces High, Jessica's Star, Blue Tone, Hip Four Sixtynine, Endurance and Wolf Man Rocket completed the order.

Standings through week four:

C. J. McMahon remains two in front of Iram Diego at 27 to 25 on the jockeys' standings. Each had three wins on tonight's card. Karl Broberg is atop the trainers' standings with 19 wins, followed by Steve Asmussen, who has 12.

Join us tomorrow to watch, wager and win the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby. It will be simulcast live at approximately 5:34 p.m. Gates open early at 11:00 a.m. First of 10 live races is at 2:05 p.m. And don't forget out annual Kentucky Derby Best Hat contest. It begins at 3:00 p.m. in the Courtyard of Champions. Two Grand Prize winners will each win $500!